SCOTTISH HOME RULE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21647, 4 December 1935, Page 16

SCOTTISH HOME RULE

CHRISTCHURCH. ORGANISATION REVIVED

For many reasons the Canterbury branch of the Scottish Home Rule Association has not met for some time. The Rev. T. W. Armour, who presided at a meeting of the members last night, explained that among the reasons were that Miss Jessie Mackay, the main inspirer of the movement amongst Canterbury Scots, had been in indifferent health; another was that the secretary, Mr M. J. Burns, had removed to the North Island. Recently members had felt that in addition to concern for Scottish independence an endeavour should be made to make the association a centre for studying and fostering the cultural aspects of Scottish history and life.

The chairman read a communication from Miss Mackay setting out the progress of the movement in Scotland in tne present year. It was decided to write thanking Miss Mackay for her review and to express the hope that she would be restored to health soon. A draft constitution and rules were submitted. In view of the merging of the Scottish party with the National party, it was decided to alter the name of the association to the Scottish National Society. The main objects are: To support and to further efforts to secure for Scotland the fullest powers of self-government; and to foster and encourage the study, for cultural purposes, of Scottish life, literature, music, and art, and their origins. The rules, as drafted, were adopted. The annual meeting is to be held on June 24,. the anniversary of ,Bannockburn, or as near to that date as may be practicable. To act in the meantime the following officers were elected:—President, the Rev. T. W. Armour; general committee, Miss Jessie Mackay, Messrs A. MacQuarrie, C. S. Thomas, J. S. Kelly, J. Roberts, and G, M. Telfer; secretary, Mr A. B. MacDiarmid; treasurer, Mr Joseph Forbes. Songs were given by Mrs Edwards, Mrs Ledsham, and Miss Kathleen Chappie, and violin selections were played by Miss Robertson. Supper was served at an appropriate interval.